South Asia

South Asia

South Asia is home to over 1.8 billion people and the largest youth population in the world. It includes India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. As one of the fastest-growing regions in the world, it serves as a strong economic link between the East and the West. South Asia’s strong global connections make it a zone of opportunity for businesses and governments engaging in infrastructure development, trade, and economic development.

Explore

Nawaz: “North Waziristan is Only the First Battle [for Pakistan]”

Issue Brief
Apr 1, 2025

Rescuing Pakistan’s economy

By
Aasim M. Husain

For decades, Pakistan has struggled with a declining standard of living, skyrocketing public debt, and economic policies that have failed to address the root causes of its stagnation.

Economy & Business
Middle East

Nawaz: “North Waziristan is Only the First Battle [for Pakistan]”

New Atlanticist
Mar 25, 2025

Starlink’s India launch is a crash course on New Delhi’s approach to tech sovereignty

By
Trisha Ray

A recently announced partnership to deploy the Elon Musk-led company’s satellite internet in India offers a window into New Delhi’s “hybrid” approach.

Economy & Business
India

Nawaz: “North Waziristan is Only the First Battle [for Pakistan]”

New Atlanticist
Feb 19, 2025

Why India and Armenia are now taking their relationship to new heights

By
Tatevik Khachatryan, Srujan Palkar

The growing military and diplomatic cooperation between New Delhi and Yerevan benefits both beyond immediate defense concerns.

Economy & Business
India

Programs

The South Asia Center is the hub for the Atlantic Council’s analysis of the political, social, geographical, and cultural diversity of the region. ​At the intersection of South Asia and its geopolitics, SAC cultivates dialogue to shape policy and forge ties between the region and the global community.

Learn more

Content

In the News

Jun 16, 2014

Nawaz: “North Waziristan is Only the First Battle [for Pakistan]”

By Shuja Nawaz

Voice of America quotes South Asia Center Director Shuja Nawaz on the Pakistani offensive against militant bases in North Waziristan:

Pakistan

SouthAsiaSource

Jun 13, 2014

This Week in South Asia: June 7 – 13

By Fayyaz Yaseen

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week. PakistanAfter failing to come up with a comprehensive and consolidated anti-terrorism plan, the security situation in Pakistan is fast moving towards the edge. This week, the country was convulsed by a terrorist attack on […]

Afghanistan India

Event Recap

Jun 12, 2014

Abdullah Vows to ‘Reset’ Afghanistan’s Relations with US and International Community

Following Years of US Tensions with Hamid Karzai, Afghan Presidential Front-Runner Calls for Broadened Cooperation The front-runner in Afghanistan’s presidential election on Saturday, former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, called for the next Afghan government to act on a “fresh opportunity for Afghanistan to reset its relations with the international community and … especially with the […]

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Jun 12, 2014

Storify: #ACAbdullah with Afghanistan Presidential Candidate Dr. Abdullah Abdullah

The stakes could not be higher. Afghanistan faces an historic presidential election on June 14 with a runoff between frontrunners Dr. Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah. 

Afghanistan

SouthAsiaSource

Jun 10, 2014

Modi’s India: China’s New Friend or Bitter Foe?

By Rajan Menon

Narendra Modi has taken the helm in New Delhi—and with the freedom of action provided by a parliamentary majority unmatched in India for three decades. So what sort of policy will he pursue toward China? The question is worth exploring for several reasons.

China India

In the News

Jun 10, 2014

Menon: Will Modi Be a Friend or Foe to China?

By Rajan Menon

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Rajan Menon writes for The National Interest  on the future of China-India relations given the inauguration of new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi:

China India
Relatives and colleagues of Airport Security Force soldiers killed on Sunday's Taliban attack on Jinnah International Airport, offer funeral prayers on June 9. Militant fighters stormed the airport disguised as security forces. REUTERS/Athar Hussain

New Atlanticist

Jun 9, 2014

Karachi Airport Attack Shows Vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s Anti-Terror Strategy

By New Atlanticist

Government’s New Policy Focuses on Response to Attacks, Should Stress Prevention Militants launched a well-coordinated, commando-style attack on Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport Sunday night, killing at least 18 people and seizing part of Pakistan’s busiest air-travel hub for more than five hours. Shuja Nawaz, director of the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center, provides an early […]

Pakistan

In the News

Jun 9, 2014

Nawaz on Taliban Attack on Karachi Airport

By Shuja Nawaz

PBS NewsHour interviews Director of the South Asia Center Shuja Nawaz on the attack on Pakistan airport by Taliban:

Pakistan

In the News

Jun 8, 2014

Atlantic Council Discussion with Ashraf Ghani Referenced

By Ashraf Ghani

The Express Tribune, with the International Herald Tribune, cites the Atlantic Council’s Skype interview with Dr. Ashraf Ghani, an Afghan presidential candidate, within an article about Afghanistan after 2014:

Afghanistan Elections

In the News

Jun 8, 2014

Gopalaswamy on Social Media’s Role in Indian Elections

By Bharath Gopalaswamy

Voice of America quotes Deputy Director of the South Asia Center Bharath Gopalaswamy on how social media was a tool utilized in Indian elections: 

Elections India
Load More

Experts

Fellow

Grace Abuhamad

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Digital Policy Internet

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Fellow

Paul Amato

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Missile Defense Nuclear Deterrence

Fellow

Peter Arvo

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

China Human Rights

Staff

Rayhan Asat

Former Senior Legal & Policy Advisor, China Lead

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Central Asia China

Fellow

Kyle Atwell

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Colombia
Load More

Events

Online Event Wed, April 8, 2026 • 8:30 am ET

IMEC during a time of war
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia India Middle East